"A human being is a
part of a whole, called by us 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He
experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind
of optical delusion of his consciousness.
This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to
affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to
embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its
beauty."